winewaves

Alma Rosa Santa Barbara Pinot Gris 2004

Are you likely to pay a bit more for a wine if it's biodynamic, organic or a product of sustainable farming practices? What if you get a superior wine of great aroma/flavor intensity and length?

Thekla and Richard Sanford left their namesake winery behind in 2005 to found Alma Rosa and they bring new energy and positive focus to the venture. They farm their Santa Rita Hills vineyards with respect and kindness in order to keep the land and their wines unspoiled and beautiful.

Burgundy native Christian Roguenant is the head Winemaker, a frequent wine judge and also a photographer. 2004 is the first vintage for Alma Rosa Santa Barbara Pinot Gris, and the 2005 was recently released.

Excellent value ($18). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Style: Intense fruit, pretty, light, crisp.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Bright lemon gold. Aromas: Perfumed apricot, white peach, cold blossoms and spring rain. A voluptuous body with nice curves combines with a lively tart feeling on the tongue as the pretty apricot and lemon flavors are sustained in the crisp finish.

Comment: "Tell me what wine you drink, and I will tell you what you are."

Kris Franz Haas Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2005

Pinot Grigio can be almost devoid of personality, often playing the role of a simple light white that won't offend anyone, but which won't excite anyone either.  Not so with Kris, a true expression of the grape and growing area that will keep your entire mouth and nose busy with a vivid taste of beautiful Northern Italy.

Kris Pinot Grigio is the combined effort of importer Winebow (Leonardo Locascio) and Franz Haas Winery, which is now in the hands of the seventh generation to grow grapes on their estate in Alto Adige, in the foothills of the Alps.  Kris' 100% Pinot Grigio fruit was sourced from vineyards in Montagna and the Mulinat Estate in Fruili, in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige.  Vinification was all stainless steel.

Tasting Notes: Color: Light lemon straw with a slight greenish tint.  Aromas: Meyer lemon, cold blossoms and hints of apricot and almonds.  Juicy, unsweet and rather tart, the mixed citrus rind and sour apple flavors are supported by a chalky minerality and the finish is palate cleansing.

Excellent value ($12).  Closure: Real cork.  Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Mandolina Santa Barbara Pinot Grigio 2005

Here's a cool nothern Italian varietal from cool northern Santa Barbara County.  The Mandolin on the label is a symbol of the "texture, balance, and richness" of Mandolina* wines.

Mandolina Pinot Grigio 2005 was sourced from the Los Alamos district, along Hwy 101 north of Buellton.  The area is considered a cool microclimate within Santa Barbara County.  Vinification was all stainless steel.

Tasting Notes: Color: Light lemon straw. Aromas: Hints of strawberry, starfruit and cold blossoms. Round and juicy at first, then tart and dry, with a bit of a kick, the peachy flavors finish crisp and refreshing.

Outstanding value ($8.09, sale price, Applejack, Denver, CO).

Alcohol content: 14.1%.  Closure: Real cork.

*Mandolina is a project of owners Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen plus winemaker Daniel Gehrs.  They produce estate-grown Italian varietals Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Moscato, Sangiovese, and blends.  The tasting room is located in Solvang.

MonteVina California Pinot Grigio 2005

The California style of Pinot Grigio adds a fresh cut fruit cocktail element to the bright acidity and minerality expected of the breed. MonteVina "mountain vines" is Sutter Home's Amador County winery, known for its Zins.

The climate in Amador is warmer than Napa, but the 400-acre Deaver estate is at 1,300 to 1,600 feet elevation, where the heat is somewhat tempered. Winemakers Jeff Meyers and Chris Leamy report Pinot Grigio 2005 production vaulted to 65,000 cases from 50,000 in 2004. Vinification was 100% stainless steel, and no lots were allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. Alcohol content: 13.2% Tasting Notes.  Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Peach, apple, orange, and cold blossoms. The mouthfeel is light-bodied, juicy, then crisp, dry and tart. Citrus and peach flavors are nicely rounded and finish clean.

Closure: Real cork.  Excellent value ($10).

Voga Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2005

A winning new Pinot Grigio brand has gotten better in year two.

Since Winewaves reviewed the inaugural (2004) vintage of Voga, this wine has received the most comments of any post, most of them very favorable.

With the 2005 vintage, the distinctive package has been dramatically improved by making the black plastic overcap a functional screw cap for resealing the wine after the "neocork" is removed. The new threaded overcap also eliminates the accidental dropping problems of last year's loose-fitting overcap. Voga Pinot Grigio 2005 was sourced from Trentino and Veneto in northern Italy. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Apple, pear, lemon-lime, plus hints of cold blossoms. On the tongue, the body is light, tart, and dry, with citrusy apple and mineral flavors and a crisp finish.

Closure: Artificial "neocork" plus black plastic resealing overcap.

Excellent value ($9).  Alcohol content is a light 12%.

Cline Cellars White Truck Pinot Grigio 2005

Summer is peaking and white wines are in their seasonal glory.

Cline's reputation for excellent wine values* includes a growing portfolio of white wines. The 2005 vintage includes this California Pinot Grigio bottled under the White Truck label. Typical of Pinot Grigio, this one is unwooded, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Lime, starfruit, cold blossoms. Ultra light on the tongue, yet with a hefty 13.5% alcohol, the tart lemon-lime and grapefruit flavors and minerally dryness are straightforward and refreshing. Closure: Real cork. Excellent value ($10).

*Winewaves recently reviewed Cline Cellars White Truck White blend 2004, Zinfandel 2004 and Syrah 2004.

Coppola Bianco Pinot Grigio 2005

You can't go wrong with this classic and refreshing house white for the season.

Corey Beck reports the composition of Coppola Bianco Pinot Grigio 2005 is 90% varietal, with 5% each Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Vinifcation was all stainless steel. The fruit was sourced from Monterey and Clarksburg (near Lodi). Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Apricot, peach. melon, cold blossoms and rainwater. On the tongue, the body is light and tart. Citrusy zing, orchard fruit and minerally flavors finish crisp and clean. Closure: Real cork. Excellent value ($7, Sale Price).

Primosic Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio 2005

Some of the top white wine values coming from Italy to the USA are from Friuli Venezia Giulia, including Primosic Pinot Grigio produced by one of the famous wine cellars in Collio. "Collio" means hill, and the terrain near the Italian and Slovenian border has been cultivated for centuries. Vinification was stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Very pale straw. Aromas: Lemony, with faint hints of apricots and honey. Light, tart and minerally on the tongue, the citrusy green apple flavors finish very crisply. Closure: Composite artificial "neocork". Excellent value ($10, Total Wine).

Hendry Ranch Napa Pinot Gris 2005

This Napa Benchlands Pinot Gris is an individual; a bit more like an Oregon than Northern Italian version. You may feel compelled to have a glass in the rain - clothing optional.

Hendry Pinot Gris is a relatively new offering from the family vineyard and winery, produced from Blocks 1 and 2 vines which are nearing 10 years old. These blocks are located in a cool area between the winding main road and Redwood Creek, less than 3 acres altogether. Fermentation and aging were all stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Very pale straw. Aromas: Lemon drop, nectarine, hints of green tea, sweet basil and cold blossoms. On the tongue, citrusy flavors are light. lively, tart and finish crisp and clean. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($17). Food pairing: Turkey Club Sandwich.

Borgo Maddalena Venezie Pinot Grigio 2005

The first 2005 Italian Pinot Grigio spotted in Nashville turns out to be a sipper that's fresh, modern and sophisticated. Yet, like all good Pinot Grigio, it makes you want to run around in the cool rain.

The source of the fruit for Borgo Maddalena 2005 Pinot Grigio was Colli Orientali del Friuli or the eastern hills of Friuli, in northeastern Italy. Winemaker Massimo Vidoni, who also works with the Fantinel family's more upscale La Roncaia cellars label, vinified the lots in stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Cool honeysuckle, mixed tree fruit and lemon. Dry and light-bodied on the tongue, the very tartly elegant tree fruit and mineral flavors finish crisp and clean. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($12).  Food pairing: By itself or with crostini or biscotti.

Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates.